Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-17

on the 18th of next month, is one OF
great interest to astronomers in all parts
of the world. 1t will be seen mostly on
land, but, unfortunately for the United
States Naval Observatory, its appear
ance will be in Europe and Asia. 1t
will last about four minutes, and great
preparations have been made by the
European astronomers to observe it at
its totality, which will be in Japan.
EXPEDITION TO JAPAN.
The only expedition from the United
States to Japan will be under the joint
auspices of the Navy Department,
which loans the instruments and the
trustees of the Bache fund of the Ma
tional Academy of Science, who APP
priated 81, 600 for the expenses of the
expedition. Professor David p. Todd,
of Amherst, is i'll charge Of the expe-
ditiOn.
The primary objects of the expedi-
ton are to secure photographs of the
partially eclipsed sun, especially near
the moments of its critical phase, and
OF the solar corona, while the sun is en-
tirely covered. The photographs of the
corona will be taken with the instru-
ments loaned and on the plan pre-
scribed by the director Of Howard Col
lege Observatory. Professor Todd is
also instructed to seek to obtain such
photographs with the horizontal photo
heliograph. In addition Professor Todd
is to secure drawings of the corona by
native japanese artists, such other
physical observations, and such obser-
vations of times of phases, especially
the beginning and end of totality at va
rious points.
On arriving at Yokohama the Profess
sor is to communicate with Mr.. Hub
bard, tine United States Minister to ia
pan, aid through him it IL expected
that the japanese authorities will rem
der his party such aid n2assistance as
may be necessary to the success of the
expedition. His report, Photographic
plates, and other results of the work
will be addressed to the Superintendent
of the Nautical Almanac office here in
Washington.
PART1 To RUSSlAs
The only other American party which
will observe the eclipse is under the
direction of Charles A. Young, astro
homer, of Princeton, N. j., who sailed
from New York, accompanied by Pro-
fessors Bracket and Mcneil, also of
Princeton, and a number of ladies.
This party will cooperate with DR..
Otto Won Strive, the celebrated direc-
tor of the Imperial Observatory at Pull
iowa, and will seek location probably
in the neighborhood of Moscow. Be
sides these observations at Pultowa,
Russian astronomers will occupy a
number of stations along the path OF the
total phase, and the Imperial Govern
ment has placed its telegraph lines at
the disposal of the observers and has
instructed Dr. Strive to take all posi-
BILE steps to insure the success of their
efforts.
The shadow OF the moon win strike
the earth first at Berlin early in the
morning OF August 18th. 1t will pass
eastwardly from this point, and ira
versing the entire width OF Russia and
Siberia will reach the Sea OF Japan a
little south OF Vladivostock. Trending
enthusiastically the shadow-track will
pass across Hondo, the main island
Of Japan, in line running from
Niigata. upon the western coast,
to Mito, The observers upon the
streets OF Toxic will be favored with a
sight of the eclipse little south of
the line of totally. The shadow will
rise and disappear from the surface of
the earth at a point nearly one thou
sand miles east Of Japan in the Pacific
Ocean. All along the line from Moscow
to Tobolsk a number of German,
Italian, and French telescopes will be
directed with parallel axes toward the
sun.
The fact is worthy OF note that the
line OF this eclipse follows throughout
almost its entire course the line OF the
Russian overland telegraph, and to
Professor Todd. OF the Japanese-Ameri-
can expedition, is due the credit of
having suggested that this line be en-
ployed for the purpose of verifying dis
coveries which may chance to be
made by observers in the progress of
observations near the commencement
OF the total phase at its western end.
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